Navy Federal Credit Union

Dennis Moore graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1960. He was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on October 27, 1965, and was held until his release on February 12, 1973.

Awards Received

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    September 1966

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Dennis Anthony Moore, United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam in September 1966. Under constant pressure from North Vietnamese interrogators and guards, he experienced harassment, intimidation and ruthless treatment in their attempt to gain military information and cooperative participation for propaganda purposes. He heroically resisted their routine cruelties and never wavered in his devotion and loyalty to the United States. These actions served to inspire and improve the morale of his fellow prisoners in the camp. Displaying extraordinary courage, resourcefulness and devotion to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    October 1969 – January 1973

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Dennis Anthony Moore, United States Navy, for meritorious service while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from October 1969 to January 1973. During this period, although under constant surveillance from his captors, he performed duties involving highly classified material in an exemplary and professional manner. Through his zealousness and ingenuity, he generated new ideas and improvised techniques greatly enhancing covert operations. Although in a hostile environment, he never wavered in his devotion and loyalty to the United States and his fellow prisoners. By his inspiring courage, exceptional skill, and resourcefulness, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    June 1966 – June 1967

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Dennis Anthony Moore, United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from June 1966 to June 1967. Through his ceaseless efforts, in an atmosphere of enemy harassment, threat of torture and brutal treatment, he established and maintained intracamp communications. At great risk and in spite of further cruelty, he continued to devise many unusual and ingenious methods of communications, resulting in American and Allied prisoners resisting the enemy’s demands and at the same time improving the prisoners’ morale. By his heroic endeavors, exceptional skill, and devotion to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    May 1969 – June 1970

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Dennis Anthony Moore, United States Navy, for meritorious achievement as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from May 1969 to June 1970. With complete disregard for his own safety and personal welfare in a period of severe enemy harassment, he voluntarily took complete care of a seriously wounded fellow prisoner who was not receiving any treatment from the North Vietnamese. By his courageous actions and humanitarian regard for his fellowman, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    October 31, 1965

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Dennis Anthony Moore, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam on 31 October 1965. Lieutenant Commander Moore’s captors, completely ignoring international agreements, subjected him to extreme mental and physical cruelties in an attempt to obtain military information and false confessions for propaganda purposes. Through his resistance to those brutalities, he contributed significantly toward the eventual abandonment of harsh treatment by the North Vietnamese, which was attracting international attention. By his determination, courage, resourcefulness, and devotion, Lieutenant Commander Moore reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    October 1965 – February 1973

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Dennis Anthony Moore, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from October 1965 – February 1973. By his diligent efforts, exceptional leadership, devotion and loyalty to the United States, and under the most adverse of conditions, he resisted all attempts by the North Vietnamese to use him in causes detrimental to the United States. While in daily contact with the North Vietnamese guards and officers, he performed duties in staff positions, maintaining good order and discipline among the prisoners. Further, as an educator he provided diversion and constructive rehabilitative thinking to his fellow prisoners during their long internment. Despite harsh treatment and a lack of material aids, he devoted long hours toward improving their morale and well-being. His extraordinary skill, resourcefulness, and sound judgment reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Lieutenant Commander Moore is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    October 27, 1965 – February 12, 1973

    Lieutenant Commander Dennis Anthony Moore, United States Navy, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from October 27, 1965 until his release on February 12, 1973.